Centrifugal actuated mechanism with separable mounting bracket

ABSTRACT

A mounting bracket assembly is provided for mounting peripheral equipment to an electric motor. The bracket is suited particularly for use with various motor types where a stator assembly and rotating member are supported by bearings fitted along end shield structures. More specifically, the bracket is advantageous where an electrical switch and motor protector are preassembled to it. The bracket thereafter is attached to the electric motor, and may be removed easily if the motor fails for any reason.

United States Patent Lewis Jan. 1, 1974 [54] CENTRIFUGAL ACTUATEDMECHANISM 2,952,430 9/1960 Garman 248/26 H SEPARABLE MOUNTING BRACKET2,896,045 7/1959 Brunicardi 200/168 R X 2,863,0l8 l2/l958 Rommel ZOO/168R X Inventor: J Lewis, Louis, MO. 2,794,092 5 1957 Bengtsson 200/168 R x[73] Assignee: Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis County, Mo. PrimaryExaminer.l. Franklin Foss Attorney-Philip B. Polster et a1. [22] Filed:Mar. 10, 1972 [21 Appl. No.2 233,580 ABSTRACT A mounting bracketassembly is provided for mount- 52 us. (:1. 248/14, 200/168 R ingPeripheral equipment to electric The [51] Int CL "01h 3/16, HOlh 15/14,Holh 17/12 bracket is suited particularly for use with various [58]Field of Search 248/14, 16, 300; motor types Where a Stator assembly andmating 174/527 200/168 R, 67; 310/68 E member are supported by bearingsfitted along end shield structures. More specifically, the bracket isad- I 56] References Cited vantageous where an electrical switch andmotor pro- UNITED STATES PATENTS tector are preassembled to it. Thebracket thereafter is attached to the electric motor, and may be removed3,433,907 3/1969 Day ZOO/168 R X easily if the motor fails for y reason3,293,388 12/1966 Slonneger..... 3,27l 602 9/l966 Waters 310/68 E 14Claims, 22 Drawing Figures CENTRIFUGAL ACTUATED MECHANISM WITH SEPARABLEMOUNTING BRACKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates tomounting brackets and in particular to a mounting bracket adapted foruse with an electric motor. Those skilled in the art will recognize thewide applicability of the bracket of this invention to other relatedsituations where sensor or control elements, for example, are mounted toa primary assembly.

For many appliance and other equipment applications involving highvolume unit production, such as furnace fans, blowers for airconditioners, washing machines, dryers and the like, original equipmentmanufacturers continually strive for cost reductions in their products.

One source for reducing cost is the dynamoelectric machine utilized inthe product. In these applications, single phase induction motorshavingat least one main winding and an auxiliary or start winding of theresistance start split phase type conventionally have been used due tothe economy inherent in their manufacture. These motors conventionallyinclude an auxiliary or start winding wound to have a higher resistancethan the main field winding, with the starting winding being physicallydisplaced therefrom. Such motors frequently utilized a number ofswitches for selectively controlling a number of circuits. For example,in the aforementioned single phase induction motors, switches areemployed to de-energize the start winding once the motor reaches apredetermined operating speed and may at the same time, selectivelyregulate other circuitry. One common way of effectuating theenergization of the start winding in response to a predetermined motorspeed is by a centrifugally actuated mechanism, responsive to the motorspeed, which in turn opens the switch of a winding control switch unitin the circuit of the start winding when the motor attains the desiredoperating or running speed. Further background information on exemplarycontrols, along with examples of the prior art, is contained in thefollowing U.S. patents: Waters, No. 3,271,602, issued Sept. 6, 1966;Slonneger, No. 3,293,388, issued Dec. 20, 1966; and Waters et al, No.3,381,388, issued Apr. 30, 1968.

The systems disclosed and described in the aformentioned patents, forexample, were developed for and worked well with certain forms of motorconstruction. In this construction, it is common to assemble motors, andparticularly split phase induction motors, so as to enclose the statorassembly and its associated rotor and shaft in a pair of end shield orframe members. The stator assembly conventionally includes a singlephase main winding and a start winding arranged in slots provided in thestator and these windings cause currents to be induced in a squirrelcage winding arrangement in slots of the motor rotor. The rotorconventionally is carried on a shaft rotatably supported by the endshields and suitably lubricated bearings. Both the stator assembly andthe end shields conventionally have a series of bolt holes in them,which, when properly arranged, allow insertion of bolts through the endshield and stator assembly, and permits the attachment of the endshields to the stator assembly by some type of con ventional lockingmeans.

While a great many dynamoelectric machines still utilize this boltedconstruction, more recent developments in motor construction haveevolved utilizing an epoxy resin for holding the end shields to thestator core. Details of this construction may be obtained by referringto the following U.S. patents: Thompson et al. No. 3,165,816, issuedJan. 19, 1965; Wightman et al. No. 3,343,013, issued Sept. 19, 1967;Royer et al. No. 3,378,709, issued Apr. 16, 1968; Arnold No. 3,437,853,issued Apr. 8, 1969; and Lewis No. 3,489,934, issued Jan. 13, 1970.

During the development of the cemented motor, certain techniquesutilized with the older form of assembly were adopted in the new method.In particular, concepts for mounting the above mentioned switch assemblycontinued to be applied under cemented motor construction principles.That is, the switch assembly was mounted directly to the end shieldstructure, and some type of mechanism was placed through the end shieldto control the switch in response to motor speed. This mounting methodhas serious deficiencies heretofore unresolved, caused by the nature ofmaterials necessary for cemented motor construction. The epoxy utilizedin cemented construction requires a cure cycle conventionally of hightemperature in order to permit fast cure, thereby attaining high volumeprduction of motor assemblies. With the majority of end shield designsin the prior art, it is necessary to attach some of the components, forexample, the mechanism used to control the switch in response to motorspeed, prior to the cure cycle. This placement is necessary because thevarious components used to operate the switch in the form of the abovementioned centrifugal actuator are dependent on the end shield and itsrelative position in the motor assembly. The end shield designsnecessitated by switch attachment thereto do not lend themselves to easyassembly methods for the other components necessary for switch operationonce the end shield placement is fixed, as is the case after cure.

It has been found that the submission of the switch assembly to the curecycle causes malfunctioning of the switch assembly, in some instances,after cure. The switch assembly construction is not always suitable tothe high temperature encountered in cure cycles that allow maximumproduction nor are the other structural components compatible with thesehigher cure cycle temperatures. Consequently, motor production rateshave been restricted heretofore by secondary considerations includingthe construction of the various structural components comprising thecentrifugally operated switch mechanism.

The cemented motor does not lend itself to repair of motor defects. Thatis, when motors are checked from the production line, for example, in aquality control program, they may be inoperable. Many of theinoperability causes are correctable if access can be gained to thestator assembly. A body of art has developed going to the fact that thecemented motor becomes an integral unit after cure but thus far all suchcorrectional procedures are accomplished remote from the productionline. This in turn means that the components of the switch assembly arelost to the motor manufacturer unless the motor can be repaired easilyor until the motor is destroyed and the related components are removed.I have developed a mounting assembly which is removable from the motorand is independent of the end shield. The assembly permits the mountingof the switch and its related components as a preassembled unit. Thisunit in turn may be mounted on the motor after the cure cycle.Consequently, the bracket may carry, along with the switch, anyassociated motor protector. Since the switch and its related mechanismcan be attached independently of the end shield, end shield designbecomes highly flexible with mere skeleton frames sufficient in manyapplications. Motors may be checked for malfunction prior to bracketmounting and defective units can be removed from the production linebefore additional assembly time and expense are incurred.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a low cost mountingassembly for an electrical switch.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting assemblyhaving an integrally formed area for attaching an external motorprotector.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mounting assembly foran electrical switch that is independent of end shield construction.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved lever foruse with the mounting assembly wherein the lever arm has an integrallyconstructed spring construction.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a positive bias forthe actuator-electrical switch structural chain used in a split phasemotor, for example, through improved lever construction.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improvedcentrifugal switching mechanism.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled inthe art in view of the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention generallystated, a mounting bracket is provided for use with an electric motor.The bracket provides a mounting surface for an electrical switch andrelated switch operating mechanisms. The bracket also may provide amounting surface for an associated external motor protector.

In the preferred embodiment, the mounting bracket assembly includes alever arm for actuating a plunger type of motor switch. The preferredembodiment further utilizes a lever having a self-contained, integralspring which biases the lever against the switch assembly. The lever isoperated by a centrifugal mechanism responsive to the motor speed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a view inend elevation of one illustrative embodiment of mounting assembly ofthis invention shown in its motor mounted position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line 33 of FIG. I simplified to showthe mounting assembly of FIG. 1 in side elevation;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation of one illustrative embodiment ofmounting assembly of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in side elevation taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view in front elevation of one illustrative embodiment forlever assembly illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9a is a top plan view of a second illustrative embodiment for leverassembly illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view in front elevation of the spring utilized with thelever of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a view in front elevation of a second illustrative embodimentof mounting assembly of this invention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view in side elevation taken along the line 13-13 of FIG.11;

FIG. 14 is a view in front elevation of a third illustrative embodimentof lever used in conjunction with mounting assembly of this invention;

FIG. 15 is a view in side elevation taken along the line 1515 of FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view taken along the line 16l6 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a third illustrative embodiment of mounting assembly of thisinvention;

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a view in side elevation taken along the line l9l9 of FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a view in perspective illustrating the centrifugal actuatorsystem of this invention;

FIG. 21 is a view in side elevation of yet another illustrativeembodiment mounting assembly of this invention; and

FIG. 22 is a view taken along the line 22-22 of FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 20,reference numeral 1 indicates a motor having a laminated core 2 ofmagnetic material. The core 2 has an axial opening through it and has aplurality of slots arranged annularly about the opening. The slots haveat least a main winding 3 and an auxiliary winding 4 disposed in themand arranged to define electrical poles for motor operation. The coreopening contains a rotor assembly 5 which conventionally is of asquirrel cage design and includes an end ring 6 at each end of the rotorassembly. Rotor assembly 5 has an axial opening through it which is usedto mount the rotor on a shaft 7. Shaft 7 is supported on each end by asuitable bearing means indicated generally at 8 which are carried by anend shield 9 along each of the shaft. The stator-rotor combination maybe mounted within a housing not shown, or the end shield may be mounteddirectly to the core 2. As illustrated, end shield 9 and core 2 arejoined by an epoxy adhesive applied between a plurality of legs 15 andthe core 2.

The end shield 9 may assume a variety of configurations. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, end shield 9 includes a front 10having a plurality of openings 11 in it. The design of the end shield 9and in particular the size and shape of openings 11, may vary greatly.My invention is particularly suited for end shields comprisingsubstantially only a skeleton structure. The openings 11 or the openareas of a skeleton structure are used to allow rapid air cooling ofmotor 1. End shield 9 has a central hub 12 having an axial opening 13through it. A plurality of spokes 14 extend from the hub 12 and givestructural rigidity to the end shield construction. The legs 15 extendfrom the front 10, generally being perpendicular to it. The legs 15 areutilized to mount the end shield structure to the core 2, as previouslydescribed. Front 10, in the embodiment illustrated, has four bolt holes16 from and through it. The holes 16, while not necessary with acemented construction, make the end shield 9 compatible in a boltedassembly process and they are useful in mounting the switch assemblybracket described hereinafter.

It is common to mount a speed responsive actuating device 17 on one endof the shaft 7. Speed responsive actuating device 17 is conventional andvarious forms of commercial actuators are available. Commonly, theyassume at least two positions corresponding to a first and a secondrotor speed. Device 17 has an end or collar 18 adapted to contact alever 19 in at least one of the speed responsive positions.

Shown in FIG. 3 is one illustrative embodiment of mounting bracket ofthis invention. As there illustrated, a bracekt assembly 20 has anexternal switch 21 mounted to it. Lever 19 is utilized to actuate theswitch.

Switch 21 is conventional. In general, such external switches include acasing 22 having a plurality of contact arms 23 extending from oppositeside walls of casing 22. A bottom 24 has a plunger 25 extending throughit. The plunger 25 reciprocates within the switch cavity delimited bycasing 22 to engage and disengage alternately various contact arms 23.Various types of switches 21 are known in the art, and the operation ofthe switch 21 in and of itself forms no part of this invention.

Bracket assembly 20 comprises a mounting surface 26, a rear side 27, anda top wall 28. Assembly 20 is L- shaped in side elevation as is bestseen in FIGS. 3 and 6. The mounting surface 26 and its correspondingrear side 27 form the long leg of the L. Mounting surface 26, in theillustrated embodiment, is essentially planar, and generally trapezoidalin plan. Other shapes or sizes may be utilized. The trapezoidal shapehas been found to be particularly well adapted to manufacturing andinstalation. Manufacturing is facilitated because the shape allowsmaximum material utilization with minimum material waste. That is, whereassembly 20 is punched from sheet metal, for example, its particularshape works well in a progressive die process and the assembly can bearranged to give maximum material utilization. lnstalation isfacilitated because the general trapezoidal shape can be adapted to avariety of standard NEMA motor frame sizes and when attached to themotor, presents a low, streamlined and compact silhouette.

Surface 26 generally has a first end 29, a second end 30, a top 31, abottom 32, and a mid area 33. Ends 29 and 30 have openings 34 and 35respectively through them. The openings 34 and 35 are utilized to attachbracket assembly 20 to its associated motor, as is demonstrated inFIG. 1. Mid section 33 has a pair of spaced perforations 36 from andthrough the surfaces 26 and 27. Perforations 36 are designed andpredeterrninedly spaced to permit mounting of switch 21 by inserting apair of conventional screws 38 through the casing 22 of switch 21 andinto the perforations 36. Positioned near perforations 36 are twoindicating notches 37. Notches 37 need not be utilized in allembodiments of my invention. However, with the switch 21 illustrated inthe drawings, the notches 37 are convenient means for locating theswitch. That is, a portion of casing 22 abuts the notches 37 and permitseasy alignment of perforations 36 with openings, not here shown, throughcasing 22 of switch 21, which is needed for the switch 21 attachmentpreviously described.

Also located along mid area 33 is a spring couple 39. Spring couple 39is a rectangular lanced portion driven from the surface 26 toward theside 27 of bracket assembly 20. Spring couple 39 is utilized to positionand hold spring 40, the function of which is described in detailhereinafter.

Spring 40 is of an open ended, serpentine design and is shownindividually in FIG. 10. Spring 40 has a protrusion 42 which is insertedin and functionally held by the spring couple 39, and has a first end 43and a second end 44. Ends 43 and 44 are designed for insertion intolever arm 19. The serpentine design of the spring 40 permits a bend 92and a bend 93 to abut the surface 26 of bracket assembly 20, which Ihave found to be an important consideration described in detailhereinafter.

Positioned below spring couple 39, along the bottom 32 is a leveropening 41. Opening 41 resembles a truncated, inverted triangle havingits base near spring couple 39. As may be observed in FIG. 4, opening 41distorts the overall trapezoidal design of mounting surface 26. A side94 and a side 95 of opening 41 is structured to form a vertical rise 61and a pivot edge 45. Lever arm rests on edge 45 and is free, withinlimits, to pivot on and about the edge 45. While the shape, size, anddesign of opening 41 may vary, the particular opening shown anddescribed was chosen because the lever 19 can be positioned in it veryquickly, as is later related in detail.

Top wall 28 is formed integrally with the surface 26 and isperpendicular thereto. Again the design of the wall 28 may vary in otherembodiments of the invention. It has been found convenient to utilizethe wall 28 for mounting a protector assembly, not shown. Variouscommercial protectors are utilized with motors and are designed to openthe power line for the motor under certain conditions including overtemperature, over current, or a combination of both. It is conventionalfor these protectors to have mounting clips and one such clip is shownin conjunction with the bracket illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19 and isdesigned by the reference numeral 65. In order to accommodate theseclips and their associated protector, it has been found convenient toform a protector mounting 46 from and raised above the plane of the wall28. The protector mounting 46 includes a pair of essentially fiatsurfaces 47 with a V-notch 48 between them. The surfaces 47 are designedto accept a clip-on bracket for the protector while the V-notch isdesigned to abut the protector assembly. The V-notch, in effect, acts asa clamp to ensure a tight, friction fit of the protector and the topwall 28.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, top wall 28 defines a tab area 96 on eachside of mounting 46. Tab area 96 permits the placement of electricalwires, not shown, between the switch 21 and any associated protectorwithout fear of insulation wear, caused by normal motor vibrations,between the wire and sharp edges of bracket assembly 20 acting to causewire insulation breakdown.

Referring to FIG. 8, it is observed that the lever 19 is L-shaped inside elevation, having a long leg 49 and a short leg 50. Leg 49, shownin FIG. 7, includes a broad rectangular area 51 having an open mouthchannel 52 through it. The channel 52 permits the passage of motor shaft7 and forms a contact part 53 and a contact part 54 along each side ofthe channel 52, near the open mouth of the channel. The contact parts 53and 54 are bowed slightly, as is best seen in FIGJS. A pair of wear pads55 are formed on each contact part, near the bow of those areas. Pads 55are designed to contact the collar 18 of the centrifugal actuatingdevice 17 during operation of the centrifugal mechanism describedhereinafter. The area 51, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, hasan index opening 56 in it which is necessary in the particular lever 19manufacturing process but serves no function under the broader aspectsof my invention. Other embodiments of my invention may eliminate theindex opening 56 or position it elsewhere on the lever 19. Leg 50 ismanufactured integrally with leg 49, and later formed by bending aportion of the lever 19 so as to define a second, perpendicular surface.A stress relief notch 57 may be useful, or even necessary for properforming of the leg 50. Leg 50 may assume a variety of configurations,and two such configurations are illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 9a. Theembodiments of FIGS. 9 and 9a are intended for use with the separatespring of FIG. 10, previously described. Another embodiment of lever 19having an integral spring is described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 9, leg 50 is shown as including a broad, plungercontact area 58. Plunger area 58 is designed to abut the plunger 25 asillustrated in FIG. 3, in the operation of lever 19. Area 58 has atleast one lip pair 59 formed integrally with it, near the integraljunction of the legs 49 and 50. Also indicated in FIG. 9 are indexnotches, along a side of the lips 59 opposite a pair of recesses 60. Theindex notches are not assigned a reference numeral, their function beingone of die direction in the forming of the lever 19.

The recesses 60 are designed to admit and their edges to engage thebracket assembly along the pivot edge 45-vertical rise 61 portion ofopening 41. That is, the lever 19 rests along the pivot edge 45 whilethe edges of recesses 60 engage the vertical rise 61. The recesses 60-rise 61 engagement is sufficient to lock the lever arm 19 within theopening 41. As previously described, the opening 41 may assume a varietyof shapes. The particular configuration illustrated is particularlysuitable for insertion of leg 50 and the engagement of the vertical rise61 within the recesses 60. When so positioned, the lever 19 is free torotate about the pivot edge 45 and is retained as described above.

Plunger area 58 has a pair of openings 62 near the edge defining theintegral legs 49 and 50. Openings 62 receive the ends 43 and 44 ofspring 40.

The embodiment of FIG. 9a illustrates a slightly different design forcontact area 58. Like parts have like numerals in FIGS. 9 and 9a. InFIG. 9a, however, a second pair of openings 63 are placed through acontact area 64. Contact area 64 also has a different silhouette fromthe contact area 58. The particular shape or design for the silhouetteof the plunger contact areas does not form a part of this invention. Theopenings 63, however, like the openings 62, may be used to accept theends 43 and 44 of spring 40. It may be seen by observing the relativepositions of opening pair 62, recess 60 and opening pair 63, that thespring 40 may be suspended between the couple 39 and the openings pair62 and 63 so that the spring 40 is entirely on the rear side 27 ofbracket assembly 20 when the spring ends are in the opening 62 positionor the spring 40 can be altered to pass through the opening 41 to theside 26 of bracket 20 if the spring ends are placed in the opening 63position. This variation of spring 40 position is important. With theends 43 and 44 of spring 40 placed in the opening pair 62, lever 19 isbiased toward plunger 25. With the ends 43 and 44 of spring 40 placed inthe openings 63, lever 19 is biased away from plunger 25. Prior art inthe area of my invention, including Waters et al., No. 3,381,147,mentioned above, indicates that it is desirable to bias the lever 19away from the plunger 25 so that the speed responsive arrangementthereby prevents unnecessary recycling of components. I have found itentirely satisfactory if not extremely desirable, to bias the lever 19toward the plunger 25. The lever of this invention is compatible witheither design theory, however.

FIG. 11 illustrates a second embodiment of mounting bracekt of thisinvention, indicated generally by the numeral 70. Bracket is similar tobracket 20 in function and similar reference numerals are utilized whereapplicable, but the bracket 70 varies in certain constructional detailsand described hereinafter. First, a locating notch 71 is punched fromthe side 27 toward the surface 26 near to top wall 28. Locating notch 71functions similarly to the locating notch pair 37 of the embodimentshown in FIG. 4 but it abuts a different part of casing 22. Open endedbolt hole pair 72 again the functional equivalent of bolt holes 34 and35 of the previous embodiment, are used. The open end hole pair 72permits easier instalation of the bracket in certain circumstances, forexample, where conventional screws are pre-inserted in the holes 16 ofend shield 9. Finally, the opening 41 extends through the bottom 32 andis particularly adapted for use with a lever arm 80 illustrated in FIG.14, and later described in detail.

FIGS. 17 through 20 illustrate a third embodiment of mounting bracket ofthis invention. The bracket there illustrated is similar to those ofFIGS. 4 and 1 1, with the exception of the method utilized in attachingthe protector clip 65. Similar reference numerals are used whereapplicable. Clip 65 is conventional and commercially available in anumber of shapes and designs. Clip 65 includes a base 66 having a jawpair 67 formed integrally with the base 66 and perpendicular to it. Apair of arms 74 also is formed integrally and parallel to the base 66,but are spaced therefrom except along an attaching edge 68. As is bestseen in FIG. 17, a V-notch 73 is similar to the notch 48 but isinverted. The arms 74 of the clip 65 are bent over and around thesurface 47 so as to terminate below the plane of top wall 28 in order toattach the clip 65. This differs from the previous embodiment as thearms 74 normally merely abut the surfaces 47 so as to hold the clip 65along the under side of top wall 28. The method of attachment of thisembodiment is used where the protector and clip 65 might be subject tosustained and hard vibration in use. Additionally, a supporting means 75is provided along bottom 32, near the opening 41. Supporting means 75 isformed from the side 27 toward the side 26 of the bracket assembly andgives additional support to any lever arm used in conjunction with thebracket of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a third illustrative embodiment of lever armof this invention is shown generally by reference numeral 80. Lever arm80 is L-shaped in plan having a long leg 81 and a short leg 82. Leg 81is similar in design and appearance to the leg 49 of lever arm 19, inthat an opening 83, a wear pad 84 and a contact part 85 have a similarfunction and structure in lever arm 19. Likewise, leg 82 includes a lippart 86, recesses 87, and contact area 88, all of which have functionaland structural equivalents in the other embodiments of lever of thisinvention. The significant structural change in the lever arm 80 is theincorporation of integral spring 89. Spring 89 is formed from leg 82 bycutting a pair of channels 90 through that leg, and separating theresulting band from the leg 81 along a notch 91. The resultingcantilever arm-like structure is bent from the plane of leg 82, as isbest illustrated in FIG. 15. In use, lever arm 80, when positioned inopening 41 as previously described, acts against casing 22 of switch 21to bias contact area 88 toward the collar 18, enabling the lever arm 80to release the plunger 25 in at least one position of actuating device17.

Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will occurto those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description andaccompanying drawings. Thus, one or more features of one illustrativeembodiment may be incorporated in another of the embodiments. Forexample, the design of opening 41 illustrated in FIG. 11 may beincorporated with the design illustrated in FIG. 4. Or, the bolt holepair 72 design may be utilized with the other embodiments illustrated.Likewise, the design of the notch 73 may be interchanged with theconstruction of the notch 48. The lever 19 or 80 may be interchanged.While the bracket 20, for example, has been described as a stamped metalpart, other materials may be utilized in its construction. Thus, a lowcost design may utilize molded plastic or aluminum. Various other switchdesigns may be utilized with the bracket of this invention, the designillustrated in the drawings and described under the designation ofreference numeral 21 merely being exemplary of the numerous commercialdesigns presently available. For example, certain switches include anintegrally assembly lever arm and one such illustrative switch assemblyis shown in FIG. 21 and represented by the numeral 98. As there shown,switch 98 includes a lever 99 connected to the switch 98 along a pivotpoint 100. In embodiments using a switch 98, or its equivalent, thebracket of this invention only need be a single surface 101. Likewise,the design of the protector clip 65 may be varied, as may the method ofattaching the clip to the mounting assembly of this invention. Otherdesigns for the lever arms illustrated can be constructed utilizing theprinciples disclosed above. Other methods of attaching the bracketassembly of this invention to the motor may be used. For example, thebracket may be welded or glued to the motor, although some flexibilityis lost with these methods. While the bracket is described for use withboth a switch and a protector, th single surface 26 may comprise thebracket in applications where a protector is not utilized. Those skilledin the art will recognize that the surface 26 may be constructedintegrally with the casing 22 of the switch 21, if desired. Thesevariations are merely illustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what. is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

.1. A bracket assembly for attaching external motor control componentsto a motor, which comprises:

a first surface adapted for mounting at least one motor controlcomponent thereto, said surface having a first end, a second end, a topedge and a bottom edge, said first surface having at least one openingin it, near one of said top and said bottom edges;

a second surface perpendicular to said first surface and attachedthereto along the other of said top and said bottom edges, said secondsurface adapted to mount at least one motor control component thereto;and

a lever arm pivotally supported by said first surface and extendingthrough said opening in said first surface, said lever arm beingL-shaped in side elevation, said lever having an integrally formedspring in one of the legs of said L-shape, said spring comprising a bandof material separated from said leg and bent from the plane of said leg.

2. A bracket assembly for attaching motor control components to a motorincluding an electrical switch having an external plunger portion foroperating said switch, comprising:

a mounting surface adapted for mounting said switch to said bracket,said surface having at least one opening in it near the location of saidexternal plunger portion; and

a lever arm pivotally supported by said mounting surface, said lever armbeing substantially L-shaped in side elevation, said lever arm extendingthrough said opening in said mounting surface, one of the legs of saidL-shape defining a plunger contact area which abuts said externalplunger portion, said last mentioned leg having an integrally formedspring in it, said spring comprising a band of material separated fromsaid leg and bent from the plane of said leg.

3. The bracket assembly of claim 2 wherein said mounting surface has asupporting means extending perpendicularly outwardly from it near saidopening, said supporting means adapted to support said lever arm.

4. A bracket assembly for attaching motor control components to anelectrical motor, including an electrical switch having an externalplunger portion for operating said switch, comprising:

a mounting bracket having a first side and a second side adapted formounting said switch to said bracket, said bracket having at least oneopening in it near the location of said external plunger portion of saidswitch;

a lever arm pivotally supported by said bracket, said lever arm beingL-shaped in side elevation, having first and second legs, one of saidfirst and said second legs defining a plunger contact area which abutssaid external plunger portion of said switch; and

a spring mounted between said mounting bracket and said lever arm biasedso as to exert a force on said lever arm toward engagement of saidplunger contact area and said external plunger portion of said switch.

5. The bracket assembly of claim 4 wherein said mounting bracketcomprises a first surface adapted for mounting said electrical switchthereto, said surface having a first end, a second end, a top edge and abottom edge, said first surface having at least one opening in it, nearone of said top and said bottom edges and a second surface perpendicularto said first surface and attached thereto along the other of said topand said bottom edges, said second surface having a slit formed in it todefine a strip, said strip having a V notch in it formed in a planeother than the plane of said second surface.

6. The bracket assembly of claim wherein said first surface includes atleast one locating means for positioning said motor control componentsalong said first surface.

7. The bracket assembly of claim 6 wherein said opening in said firstsurface is in the form of an inverted, truncated triangle, at least oneside of said triangle having a vertical rise part and a horizontal edgepart formed in it.

8. The bracket assembly of claim 7 wherein each of said first and saidsecond ends of said bracket assembly have an opening in them formounting said bracket to said motor.

9. A bracket assembly for attaching motor control components to a motorhaving a shaft, said motor control components including an electricalswitch having a movable switch element for actuating said switch,comprising:

a bracket, said bracket having said switch mounted to it, said bracketbeing adapted for mounting to said motor;

a lever operatively engaged with one of said bracket and said switch,said lever including a portion extending radially from said shaft, saidradial portion when urged in an axial direction causing a pivotalmovement of said lever toward a position that effects the displacementof the switch element to actuate the switch; and

means for spring loading said lever so as to exert a force in an axialdirection thereby biasing said lever toward said displacement effectingposition.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means comprises a springmounted between said bracket and said lever.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said bracket has a spring coupleformed in it for attaching said spring to said bracket.

12. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means is integrallyformed with said lever, said spring means comprising a band of materialseparated from said lever and bent from the plane of said lever.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said bracket includes a leversupport extending perpendicularly outwardly from it, adapted to supportsaid lever.

14. A bracket assembly for attaching motor control components to a motorincluding an electrical switch having an external plunger portion foroperating said switch, comprising:

a mounting surface adapted for mounting said switch to said bracket,said surface having at least one opening in it near the location of saidexternal plunger portion; and

a lever arm pivotally supported by said mounting surface, said lever armincluding a leg extending through said opening in said mounting surface,said leg defining a plunger contact arm which abuts said externalplunger portion, said leg having an integrally formed spring in it, saidspring comprising a band of material attached to said leg and extendingoutwardly from the plane of said leg.

1. A bracket assembly for attaching external motor control components toa motor, which comprises: a first surface adapted for mounting at leastone motor control component thereto, said surface having a first end, asecond end, a top edge and a bottom edge, said first surface having atleast one opening in it, near one of said top and said bottom edges; asecond surface perpendicular to said first surface and attached theretoalong the other of said top and said bottom edges, said second surfaceadapted to mount at least one motor control component thereto; and alever arm pivotally supported by said first surface and extendingthrough said opening in said first surface, said lever arm beingL-shaped in side elevation, said lever having an integrally formedspring in one of the legs of said L-shape, said spring comprising a bandof material separated from said leg and bent from the plane of said leg.2. A bracket assembly for attaching motor control components to a motorincluding an electrical switch having an external plunger portion foroperating said switch, comprising: a mounting surface adapted formounting said switch to said bracket, said surface having at least oneopening in it near the location of said external plunger portion; and alever arm pivotally supported by said mounting surface, said lever armbeing substantially L-shaped in side elevation, said lever arm extendingthrough said opening in said mounting surface, one of the legs of saidL-shape defining a plunger contact area which abuts said externalplunger portion, said last mentioned leg having an integrally formedspring in it, said spring comprising a band of material separated fromsaid leg and bent from the plane of said leg.
 3. The bracket assembly ofclaim 2 wherein said mounting surface has a supporting means extendingperpendicularly outwardly from it near said opening, said supportingmeans adapted to support said lever arm.
 4. A bracket assembly forattaching motor control components to an electrical motor, including anelectrical switch having an external plunger portion for operating saidswitch, comprising: a mounting bracket having a first side and a secondside adapted for mounting said switch to said bracket, said brackethaving at least one opening in it near the location of said externalplunger portion of said switch; a lever arm pivotally supported by saidbracket, said lever arm being L-shaped in side elevation, having firstand second legs, one of said first and said second legs defining aplunger contact area which abuts said external plunger portion of saidswitch; and a spring mounted between said mounting bracket and saidlever arm biased so as to exert a force on said lever arm towardengagement of said plunger contact area and said external plungerportion of said switch.
 5. The bracket assembly of claim 4 wherein saidmounting bracket comprises a first surface adapted for mounting saidelectrical switch thereto, said surface having a first end, a secondend, a top edge and a bottom edge, said first surface having at leastone opening in it, near one of said top and said bottom edges and asecond surface perpendicular to said first surface and attached theretoalong the other of said top and said bottom edges, said second surfacehaving a slit formed in it to define a strip, said strip having a Vnotch in it formed in a plane other than the plane of said secondsurface.
 6. The bracket assembly of claim 5 wherein said first surfaceincludes at least one locating means for positioning said motor controlcomponents along said first surface.
 7. The bracket assembly of claim 6wherein said opening in said first surface is in the form of aninverted, truncated triangle, at least one side of said triangle havinga vertical rise part and a horizontal edge part formeD in it.
 8. Thebracket assembly of claim 7 wherein each of said first and said secondends of said bracket assembly have an opening in them for mounting saidbracket to said motor.
 9. A bracket assembly for attaching motor controlcomponents to a motor having a shaft, said motor control componentsincluding an electrical switch having a movable switch element foractuating said switch, comprising: a bracket, said bracket having saidswitch mounted to it, said bracket being adapted for mounting to saidmotor; a lever operatively engaged with one of said bracket and saidswitch, said lever including a portion extending radially from saidshaft, said radial portion when urged in an axial direction causing apivotal movement of said lever toward a position that effects thedisplacement of the switch element to actuate the switch; and means forspring loading said lever so as to exert a force in an axial directionthereby biasing said lever toward said displacement effecting position.10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said spring means comprises a springmounted between said bracket and said lever.
 11. The assembly of claim10 wherein said bracket has a spring couple formed in it for attachingsaid spring to said bracket.
 12. The assembly of claim 9 wherein saidspring means is integrally formed with said lever, said spring meanscomprising a band of material separated from said lever and bent fromthe plane of said lever.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein saidbracket includes a lever support extending perpendicularly outwardlyfrom it, adapted to support said lever.
 14. A bracket assembly forattaching motor control components to a motor including an electricalswitch having an external plunger portion for operating said switch,comprising: a mounting surface adapted for mounting said switch to saidbracket, said surface having at least one opening in it near thelocation of said external plunger portion; and a lever arm pivotallysupported by said mounting surface, said lever arm including a legextending through said opening in said mounting surface, said legdefining a plunger contact arm which abuts said external plungerportion, said leg having an integrally formed spring in it, said springcomprising a band of material attached to said leg and extendingoutwardly from the plane of said leg.